La. BESE Has Been Bought Once Again (Maybe Not Completely) | deutsch29
La. BESE Has Been Bought Once Again (Maybe Not Completely)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Eight (make that seven) for eight, the BESE candidates that preferred by out-of-state billionaires, like the Waltons, and by out-of-state, ed-reform election-shapers, like Education Reform Now and American Federation for Children, will hold BESE seats and will cast votes that almost certainly bend Louisiana education in favor of testing, school choice– and retaining TFAer John White as state ed superintendent.
The following three ed-reform diehards have been re-elected a third time and, as such, are not eligible to run for a fourth term:
- James Garvey (Dist 1),
- Kira Orange-Jones (Dist 2), and
- Holly Boffy (Dist 7).
Also re-elected, for a second term, are ed-reform supporters
- Sandy Holloway (Dist 3), and
- Tony Davis (Dist 4– unopposed).
And, for their first appearance after being given the corporate-ed-reform, campaign-cash-flush nod, are
- Ashley Ellis (Dist 5), and
- Preston Castille (Dist 8).
As for Louisiana’s gubernatorial race, there will be a runoff between Democrat incumbent, John Bel Edwards, who garnered 47% of the vote, and Republican Eddie Rispone, at 27% (98% reporting)
Steven Menashi, an architect of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ disastrous policies, could do even more harm if the Senate confirms his nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Menashi failed to protect students from predatory online institutions, failed to ensure student loans are forgiven for public service, weakened protections against sexual assault and harassment, and more. He is openly hostile to education and civil rights—to give just two examples, he lamented that our education system promotes “egalitarianism” and opposed student financial aid because it “punishes” affluent families. Moreover, Menashi worked with presidential adviser Stephen Miller on immigration policies that have terrified and traumatized our students, their families, and entire communities. Tell your senators to VOTE NO on Menashi. TAKE ACTION
Taking action to prevent gun violence remains on the Senate’s long “to do” list. It’s been more than 200 days since the House passed legislation that expands background checks and closes the “Charleston loophole” that allowed a white supremacist to buy a gun and kill nine African Americans in a church. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) refuses to bring it—or any other gun-related bills—to the floor. The latest Monmouth University Poll found that 83 percent of the public supports comprehensive background checks, including 94 percent of Democrats, 72 percent of Republicans, and 65 percent of NRA members. Tell your senators to support the Background Checks Expansion Act (S. 42) and encourage McConnell to bring it to the floor. TAKE ACTION
